In The Studio

In the studio with n.e.r.d. life by D'Vo

This week, we catch up with Christian hip-hop artist from Houston, n.e.r.d. life by D'Vo!

Jaz from the RepostExchange Team

How long have you been producing music and how did you learn?

I have been making and producing music for one year. I actually started September of 2019. I mostly learned from practice and watching YouTube videos.

What DAW(s) do you use and why?

I use Logic Pro X because they have the best digital audio workstation. It’s easy and intuitive to use, plus I am an Apple enthusiast.

What are your favourite software plugins and why?

My favourite and most used plugins are the FabFilter Suite. I also like to use iZotope. I enjoy those products because they are easy to use and not as overwhelming for upcoming sound engineers. They have cool graphs, charts and dynamic curves that make things easy to understand.

How would you summarise your approach/workflow when creating a track?

One of the things that I do is really analyze the track. I then find a grove or flow within the music. Sometimes even then I am unsure, but once I start recording, ideas lead to other ideas and boom another one!

What resources do you use to improve your craft?

I used tons and tons of YouTube videos to help me learn and understand how to mix and master music. I am still working on this part of it. Sean Devine, CrabLord, just to name a few have helped, but I think every YouTube video on mixing and mastering music in Logic Pro X, I’ve watched at least three times!

What is the last YouTube tutorial you watched that you would recommend to other Re-Ex Members?

The latest is Sean Devine, his entire YouTube channel is incredible for mixing and mastering. Also, the Apollo Twin has a ton of YouTube videos for helping sound engineers.

What knowledge or advice do you wish you'd learned earlier?

I wished earlier I knew about eMastered. It really makes the process easier for artists. At this point, I use it on all of my new projects. eMastered allows artists and musicians to mix their track and upload it to their enhanced algorithm for Mastering which is in tune with the industry standards.

What challenges related to making music do you face and how do you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I faced was learning how to do it all. Now I’ve gotten to a point in which I have a team to assist me, but at first, it was a nightmare. Another challenge is time. Time is always hard, the balance between family time and working but when I am in a zone, nothing can derail me.

Can you share any killer tips or techniques?

My favourite technique I use is layering my vocals, but eMastered is the key at this point. It allows me to mix and move on to the next project. My other tracks before eMastered would take weeks to master effectively.

Do you use any online tools to assist with the production process?

Online tools that I use is eMastered, also blogs like SubmitHub, where curators listen and make suggestions to better your project have been pivotal.

Do you try and get feedback or suggestions to improve your music? If so, how?

I do welcome all feedback and use it most of the time as well as give it. The easiest way is using SoundCloud comments because you can place it right in the part you are referring to.

Which track are you most proud of and why?

One of my favourite tracks is One Love. This track really opened the door for the band. In addition to The Codex, Christian hip hop Series, I am also the lead singer of a band that is dropping music.

Keep your eyes open for Global Rhythm, our newest single is called “A Love That Stays the Same”. We are a soul and funk fusion band. We have got a lot of amazing stuff in the pipeline.

Has RepostExchange affected the way you make music? If so, how?

RepostExchange has helped tremendously. The feedback given has helped me big time, especially when I was really new to the process of mixing and mastering.